Real Madrid fans want David Beckham to take the shirt off Steve McManaman's back.

Amid unprecedented security, Beckham was flying into the Spanish capital this afternoon for the medical which should seal his #25 million move from Manchester United.

Providing there are no hidden problems, the England skipper will become Real Madrid's latest 'galactico' at a presentation ceremony tomorrow when he will be officially handed one of the club's famous white shirts.

As yet, there has been no indication as to what squad number Beckham will be allocated, as the No 7 shirt he wore with such pride at Old Trafford is currently in the possession of Madrid cult hero Raul.

The indications are Beckham will be given a blank shirt tomorrow as new coach and former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz finalises his plans for the coming campaign.

However, in a readers' poll in leading Spanish sports paper Marca, fans have decided Beckham should be given the No 8 shirt worn last year by McManaman.

Over 38 per cent of respondents suggested that McManaman, who has been linked with a move back to England in recent weeks, should give up his number for his countryman, whose whistle-stop trip to Madrid will last just over 24 hours.

Twenty-six per cent believed Beckham should be given the vacant No 17 shirt, with almost 21 per cent preferring No 11, which currently belongs to Ronaldo but is expected to be freed up by the Brazilian striker being given his favoured nine.

Meanwhile, the club were finalising plans for Beckham's arrival by private jet at Madrid's military airbase at Torrejon.

The 28-year-old will then driven across Madrid to the prestigious Clinica La Zarzuela in the north east of the city where his three-hour medical will be conducted.

An entire floor of the hospital has been sealed off in anticipation of Beckham's arrival and the Union Jack is also expected to be flown as a sign of welcome.

Providing everything goes to plan, Beckham will then spend the night at Hotel Fenix, the most expensive in the city at a cost of 1,800 euros a night.

And finally, there will be tomorrow's presentation, timed to fit in perfectly with peak viewing times in the Far East, where Real hope to use Beckham's arrival to make significant commercial gains.

Even though Beckham will not answer any questions, it is estimated that more journalists will attend the event than Real's Champions League semi-final with Juventus in May, emphasising the Londoner's global popularity.